The speech delivered by

DR. GHAFOURI FARD,

HEAD OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION ORGANIZATION OF I.R. OF IRAN

IN THE NAME OF GOD

The condition which currently governs the International Sports demands that women in the Islamic Countries take step toward setting up sports competitions of their own and devote their totality to its reinforcement.

The circumstances under which women sports are practiced internationally prevents Muslim Women to take part in the respective competitions in virtue of their Islamic nobility and religious criterion. Therefore they are indeed placed in a position to have to select either "Sports" or "Islam". The restriction alluded to in the preceding lines is neither caused by their feminine physical condition nor do they have it inborn but rather it is a cruel imposition enacted by the leaders of World Sport.

There are many Muslim Women who are deprived of taking part in the World and Olympic events due to having their Islamic cover. To this effect appropriate measure should be taken against such cruel condition.

The Islamic Revolution is a cultural Movement. The great Leader of the Revolution is a world cultural personality. The Heads of the three Governmental powers; Legislative; Executive and judiciary are all culture--loving individuals. Therefore we deem it our duty to devise and present planning with cultural and Islamic characteristics suitable for Muslim Women to practice sports. It was with such an aim that the Islamic Republic of Iran decided to call our Muslim sisters together in a competitive meeting that would enjoy an Islamic ambiance in an aim to set the fundament of a cultural and sport competition for women of the Islamic Countries.

The regular organization of such an event will greatly contribute to this qualitative and quantitative promotion.

This Event is not at all meant to provide grounds for a challenge with the World and Olympic Competitions but is only help toward implementing the sacred instructions of Islam which recognizes sport as an Islamic value that can help men promote their physical and mental well--being so much so that fathers are instructed to teach sports to their children. Despite that our religion and the holy prophet himself instructed fathers to teach swimming and shooting to their children, the condition of sports scenes in the world championships are such that the simultaneous presence of male and female Muslim competitors to participates in such competitions.

It goes without saying that will the circumstances allow 500 million Muslim women to attend in such an event their participation will doubtless contribute to qualitative and quantitative promotion of sports activities.

Islamic Republic of Iran is the Founder of such sport Event, however, the continuation of which required all the Islamic Countries' cooperation and efforts.

We hope that by considering the explained condition, we could enjoy the understanding and thereby the assistance of the Heads of Sports Organization in the Islamic Countries.